Bathwater, Week 3: Holiness

Message Title:  “Holiness”  So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 1 Peter 1:14-16 (NLT) But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.  For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16 (NLT) What is the BATHWATER of Holiness? Incorrect Information Holy = Set apart for God’s purpose Holiness is NOT perfection.  Holiness is the continued pursuit of God’s standard. Religious Pride “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! Matthew 23:27 (NLT) For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity.” Matthew 23:27 (NLT) Before Holiness can be a public thing… it has to be a private thing.  Shame of Failure Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. Romans 3:20-25 (NIV) But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known... Romans 3:20-25 (NIV) This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… Romans 3:20-25 (NIV) …and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:20-25 (NIV) “Shockingly our righteousness has nothing to do with our behavior.  God scandalously applies righteousness to our sin-drenched souls out of pure generosity.” – Peter Haas (Pharisectomoy) Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?  Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?  Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death?  For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. Romans 6:1-14 (NLT) And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives… So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. Romans 6:1-14 (NLT) Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.  Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life.  Romans 6:1-14 (NLT) So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.  Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. Romans 6:1-14 (NLT) It’s possible. Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 2 Timothy 2:20-22 (ESV) Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:20-22 (ESV) Your holiness does not determine His love for you, but how He will use you. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:20-22 (ESV) You can only climb as high as you have people who are committed to your climb.  It’s a choice So set yourselves apart to be holy, for I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 20:7 (NLT) Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. Romans 1:5 (NIV) It’s costly. “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?  Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him?” Luke 14:28-33 (NLT)  “So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.” Luke 14:28-33 (NLT)  God cares more about my CHARACTER, than my COMFORT.   ...God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NLT) Whatever our holiness costs us… it cost Jesus so much more.